Suds Up! — Why It Matters

Regulated by the FDA, triclosan is found in toothpaste, body washes, furniture, toys, and even clothing and conveyor belts. While the FDA has been reviewing the available research on triclosan’s safety in consumer products, ironically, they have already recognized that antibacterial soaps do not provide any benefits over washing with plain soap and water. When antibacterial soap was first introduced onto the commercial market in the 80s, triclosan had only been used by doctors to soap up before surgical procedures. By 2001, 76 percent of liquid hand soaps contained triclosan, the primary antimicrobial ingredient most often used to kill bacteria on the skin and other surfaces.

Recently, the FDA announced that they will be investigating soaps and other products advertised as antibacterial or antimicrobial. From now on, companies that place these words on labels must prove that the antibacterial products are safe and more effective than regular old soap. If a product fails the test, companies will have to remove antibacterial ingredients and relabel the soaps.

The Takeaway

Just because antibacterial soaps are safe for some people doesn't necessarily mean they're the safest choice. Learning to properly wash your hands (and often!) with regular old soap and water is just as beneficial, and eliminates the chemical risks that antibacterial soap carries.